Major wireless manufacturers unite to advance development of global location-based services and applications

Major wireless manufacturers unite to advance development of global location-based services and applications

Tue, Sep 26, 2000 12:42 CET

Major wireless manufacturers unite to advance development of global
location-based services and applications
- Ericsson, Motorola and Nokia found a new organization to boost location
based service development
The world's three largest mobile phone manufacturers today announced that
they have set up a forum dedicated to developing global interoperability
between mobile positioning systems. Ericsson, Motorola and Nokia have
founded the Location Interoperability Forum (LIF) to achieve the goal of
offering location-based services worldwide on wireless networks and
terminals.
Location-based services allow mobile users to receive services based on
their geographic location or position. Although there are a number of
mobile positioning systems in use throughout the world today, they lack
interoperability. The aim of LIF is to produce a common view on
positioning technologies and system solutions to meet the emerging service
requirements such as information retrieval and mobile commerce
applications.
LIF will define, develop and promote common and ubiquitous location
service solutions. Defining simple and secure access methods will enable
entry to location information from wireless networks and terminals
irrespective of their underlying air interface technologies and
positioning methods. LIF will also give recommendations about how
interoperability and testing of location services can best be implemented.
The first applications based on the LIF recommendations are expected to be
available already starting in 2001. The LIF members anticipate that
nd
location based services will roll out both in 2 generation as well as
rd
3 generation networks and terminals.
"Standardizing capabilities in wireless networks in order to deliver
interoperability between services is necessary for the future provision of
personalized safety and convenience services for consumers, network
operators and service providers worldwide," said Janiece Webb, Senior
Vice President and General Manager of Motorola's Personal Networks Group.
"The creation of this forum is significant as we strive for an end-user
environment in which critical services or much-desired conveniences really
follow you wherever you go."
"Being both personalized and location-specific, location-based services
are emerging as some of the most valuable functions of the Mobile
Internet," says Stig Rune Johansson, Vice President in the Mobile Systems
Division at Ericsson. "LIF will be an important force within the industry
to stimulate and actively contribute to open standards for mobile location
services that are valid globally, independent of air interfaces,
terminals, applications or supplier."
"The greatest benefits of Mobile Internet can only fully be enjoyed when
location information is combined with mobility. This consortium will make
it possible to offer consumers personalized and lifestyle oriented
services. Open interfaces act as a catalyst for the growth of the Mobile
Information Society. All parties will benefit from the work of LIF, and we
believe that there is great commercial potential in location based
services," says Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President, Nokia Mobile
Phones.
There are numerous areas in which location data can be utilized. For
example, a user can review the menus of nearby restaurants over WAP,
receive advertising according to personalized profiles or find out if
there are any friends around in town. In addition to lifestyle services,
location information also plays a significant role in public safety and
emergency services.
The vision of the Location Interoperability Forum is to have
representation from a mix of network operators, equipment manufacturers
and service providers. LIF has today opened the website
www.locationforum.org to provide more information about the initiative.
About Ericsson
Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in
mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet. Ericsson
provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications
to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000
employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for
customers all over the world.
Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/pressroom
About Motorola
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated
communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1999
were $33.1 billion. Additional information is available at
www.motorola.com.
About Nokia
Nokia is paving the way to the mobile information society with its
innovative products and solutions. The company is a leading mobile phone
supplier and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP networks related
services as well as multimedia terminals. In 1999, Nokia's net sales
totaled EUR 19.8 billion (USD 19.9 billion). Headquartered in Finland,
Nokia is listed on the New York (NOK), Helsinki, Stockholm, London,
Frankfurt and Paris stock exchanges and employs more than 60,000 people.
Additional information is available at www.nokia.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Ericsson
Press Office, Division Mobile Systems
Ericsson Corporate Communications
Phone: +46 70 699 9412, E-mail: press.mobilesystems@lme.ericsson.se
Motorola
David Rudd
Phone: +1 847 576 7089
E-mail: David.Rudd@motorola.com
Nokia Mobile Phones
Communications
Phone: +358 10 5051
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